Life story of murdered Czech female novelist could help combat domestic violence
Simona Monyová was a successful Czech novelist who authored around thirty hugely popular fiction books for women focusing on interpersonal relationships and domestic violence. It was only after her husband stabbed her to death in 2011 that her readers realized how much of her writing was autobiographical. A film series about her life now aims to highlight the plight of women caught up in a spiral of violence.
Good looking and self-confident, Simona Monyová appeared to be living a success story. She owned the Mony publishing house together with her second husband and it seemed like her readers could not get enough of her novels, several of which were filmed. She was praised by critics for the depth of her understanding of interpersonal relationships and the authenticity of her work.
In 2011, her husband stabbed her to death in front of their small son, revealing just how authentic the scenes described in her books were. Her close friends later revealed that she had been a victim of domestic violence for years and had finally made up her mind to break the cycle of abuse.
Her books have helped thousands of women to take stock of their situation and get help. Now a six-part series about her life aims to achieve a similar goal – to shine the spotlight on domestic violence and show how easy it is for the situation to get out of control.
The lead actress, Tereza Ramba, says she only started reading Monyová’s books when she was offered the role.
“I am reading all her books, and there are so many of them. My mother and grandmother both know her work well and I am only catching up now.”
Kryštof Hádek who plays Simona’s first husband, says he remembers the shock of hearing what happened to the well-known writer.
“I found it hard to believe that such a thing could happen - that it could happen to someone who was so much in the media spotlight. And that it can easily happen to any one of us.”
Simona's real life husband is still serving a 15-year prison sentence for her murder and the producers had a hard time convincing her family and now mature son that they were not out to rake money from the family tragedy and would treat the story sensitively. Producer Klára Follova says that the murder itself is not the central focus of the series –that is domestic violence -what forms it can take, how to recognize what is happening and deal with it. But it is also a tribute to the writer.
“We want to portray Simona as a successful, strong woman, to portray her as a writer and a mother. Show sides to her that people do not know.”
Vladimír Vedra, head of the White Circle of Safety in Brno, says he is grateful for the publicity and sure that it will help.
“Whenever the topic of domestic violence appears in film or on television more people turn to us for help. They realize that they are going through something similar - that it applies to them. And it helps that people recognize the signs sooner, before things have reached a critical stage. They call for help rather than waving it away and hoping it will not happen again.”
The six-part series is set to premiere in the autumn of this year.
